Water agency GM Weeks' exit in the works

Beset by controversy over his role in the Regional Desalination Project, county Water Resources Agency general manager Curtis Weeks appears to be on his way out even as he prepares to play a critical role in the project's future.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider approving the terms of a separation with Weeks, who has served as the agency's top administrator since 2000.

Supervisors Lou Calcagno and Jane Parker have called for Weeks to resign in the past several weeks because of his involvement with the desal project, noting his failure to ask questions or notify the board about former county water board member Steve Collins' work for a private firm on behalf of the project. His decision to form a business partnership with Collins dubbed CollinsWeeks Consulting early last year has been questioned.

Collins, who was paid $160,000 by RMC Water and Environment for his efforts, is the focus of multiple investigations stemming from conflict of interest allegations, and at least one has expanded to include Weeks and other local officials. RMC won a $28million contract to manage the project.

The proposed terms of Weeks' exit, which are included in a proposed amendment to his current contract, call for him to stay as long as 90 days in order to represent the county's interests in desal mediation involving project partners California American Water and Marina Coast Water District.

He did not return a phone call from The Herald seeking comment Thursday.

Supervisor Simon Salinas said he has no concerns about Weeks' capacity to represent the county in the crucial mediation process which could determine the county's role, if any, in the project, and said the board chose to keep him on through the process specifically because of his knowledge of the project and water expertise.

"We needed him to help us get through those discussions," Salinas said. "I think (the separation agreement) is best for both parties."

Parker, however, did say she was concerned about Weeks' role in the talks, noting "significant questions raised about his undivided loyalties."

"I have strong feelings, and I was willing to call for stronger action," Parker said. "But this is a move in the right direction."

Parker said the board gave County Counsel Charles McKee direction in a special closed session Wednesday to prepare the terms of Weeks' exit.

Weeks had been the subject of a series of closed-session employment evaluations in the past few weeks.

Under the amendment, Weeks would receive six months' severance pay instead of an entire year's as called for in his current contract signed in April 2006. Weeks was paid about $182,000 in 2010.

The terms call for Weeks to be paid his severance "upon execution" of the proposed amendment, or within a "reasonable time after execution," presumably before he actually left his job.

The terms also include a clause calling for the county and Weeks to refrain from "external discussions regarding issues arising" from his employment or the terms of his exit. Any questions regarding Weeks' employment history, including references, would be referred to Salinas.

Weeks, along with other county officials, is the focus of a state Fair Political Practices Commission investigation that expanded beyond the Collins inquiry. The Collins matter is being investigated by the district attorney, and has been the subject of probes by the county and Marina Coast.

Weeks would agree, under the proposed terms, to continue overseeing the agency and help with the transition to a new general manager during the remainder of his employment.

Salinas said there isn't a plan to replace Weeks, but the board will likely decide on one if it approves the terms on Tuesday.

Weeks was hired by the county water agency in 1997, and was promoted to general manager three years later.